New Leadership Set to Enforce Stringent Immigration Policies
Illegal immigration has posed challenges for U.S. presidents over the years. While many leaders valued the vitality immigrants contribute, they also faced the duty of enforcing immigration limits. The incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump is resolutely pushing forward with mass deportation plans, appointing two prominent anti-immigrant figures to critical roles.
Tom Homan, previously acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, is now slated to be the new border czar. Alongside him, Stephen Miller, known for his controversial policies such as the Muslim travel ban and family separations, assumes an even more influential position as deputy chief of staff for policy. This leadership duo is set to embark on an extensive crackdown beginning “on Inauguration Day,” according to Miller.
Adding to this robust lineup is Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and a loyal Trump supporter, tapped as the head of the Department of Homeland Security. Despite limited border management experience—beyond sending National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border—Noem’s appointment underscores a firm commitment to Trump’s stringent policies.
In anticipation of these developments, Homan delivered a stark message on 60 Minutes: deportations could result in entire families, including American-born children, being removed together. While such actions are likely to face legal challenges, outcomes remain uncertain given recent shifts within the judiciary.
Homan’s experience dating back to his ICE tenure under President Obama—overseeing 920,000 deportations in three years—equips him well for what he describes as “the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” With Miller’s guidance from behind policy decisions, their combined efforts signal a formidable approach to immigration enforcement.
